Glitterman Euthanized at Old Friends

Glitterman, a world-record-equaling sprinter and sire of 64 stakes horses, was euthanized April 14 at Old Friends equine retirement farm near Georgetown, Ky. The 26-year-old pensioned stallion, by Bold Ruler’s son Dewan, was suffering from the infirmities of old age, including debilitating arthritis. He was pensioned in 2005 because of fertility problems and had resided at Old Friends since 2009.

“He was a great champ, a great sire, and a great old friend,” said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. “He was stoic to the end, and we will miss him very much.”

Following a solid racing career in which he won or placed in 11 stakes, Glitterman embarked on a successful stallion career at Nathan Fox and Richard Kaster’s Wafare Farm near Midway, Ky. Glitterman sired 33 stakes winners, including grade I winners and millionaires Balto Star and Glitter Woman.

Balto Star’s major win came in the 2003 United Nations Handicap (gr. IT) in which he set a course record. Balto Star won six other graded stakes, including the 2001 Arkansas Derby (gr. II). Glitter Woman captured five graded stakes, including the 1997 Ashland Stakes (gr. I), and went on to achieve acclaim as a broodmare. She produced Political Force, winner of the 2007 Suburban Handicap (gr. I).

Glitterman is represented by a high percentage of winners. He has gotten 64% winners from foals and 81% winners from starters. His runners have earned more than $39 million.

A Kentucky-bred, Glitterman initially raced for his breeder, Frank Turner Jr., and later at various times for trainer Gregory E. Sanders, O.H. Frisbie, and Mueller Farm. He finished first or second in 17 of 25 starts and earned $473,914. He equaled a world record of 1:01 3/5 at 5 1/2 furlongs in an allowance score at Hialeah. His stakes efforts included a victory in the Philadelphia Park Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. III) and stakes-placings in the Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I) and the inaugural Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash.

Glitterman was produced from the In Reality mare Moon Glitter. A half sister, Ruby Slippers, is the ancestress of champions Summer Bird and Rubiano, plus grade I winners Dubleo and Tapit.

In recent months Old Friends has lost several top runners, including grade I winners Polish Navy, Jade Hunter, and The Wicked North. A public memorial service for all will be held Memorial Day, May 30.